Husband: ‘She was called a witch and set alight’
His wife, Margaret Alexandre, 50, died in hospital after sustaining severe burn wounds which she sustained during a ‘mysterious’ fire on Saturday, 20 October.
“She was called a witch by the neighbours and later died in a bedroom fire”, said devastated husband, George Kgakasi, as he recounted the events leading to his wife’s tragic death.
His wife, Margaret Alexandre, 50, died in hospital after sustaining severe burn wounds during a ‘mysterious’ fire on Saturday, 20 October.
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The incident happened on Plot 57, opposite Zandspruit in Honeydew. Kgakasi, who suspects arson, told the Northsider that he was out drinking with his friends when he learned about the fire, which also left him with burn wounds on his hands as a result of trying to save his wife. “It was about 6pm when my wife and I decided to visit our friends separately. She went to the neighbours while I went to drink with my friends a distance away from the house,” he sadly explained.
Before the incident, Kgakasi said that he was firstly interrupted by a person who called him to fetch his ‘noisy’ wife calling her Umthakathi (a witch). “I heard my name being called by someone who told me to come to take my witch wife who was apparently making a noise.
“I went and took her home. I left her sleeping in the bedroom and went back to my friends,” he recalled.
Kgakasi said that while downing a couple of beers, he heard people screaming about a fire in the area. “At first I didn’t realise it was my house. I eventually found out it was my house when we went to see what was happening. I tried to douse the fire but injured my hands in my attempt,” he explained.
While searching for the cause of the fire, Kgakasi said he came across a plastic bottle smelling of petrol. “The bottle had a petrol smell. I wasn’t sure how it got there because I do not have a car or a generator in my house,” he explained, appealing to the neighbouring residents who witnessed the incident to come forward with information for the police.
Honeydew Police spokesperson, Captain Balan Muthan, said police are aware of the matter. “A case of inquest has been opened, and the matter is under police investigation,” he said.
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